One of my best thrift store finds ever (in Denmark)!
I haven’t used the word “pocketbook” since I moved out of my grandmother’s house many moons ago, but somehow, “pocketbook” just seems more appropriate than “purse” or handbag” in this case.
In Aarhus, my chances of encountering some of my lifetime best thrift store finds ever are between slim and none. The city is full of university students living on student budgets so the best things are sold pretty much as soon as soon as they come in. The best thrift stores are out in the suburbs, far away from the bus routes.
My main freelance gig is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, where competition for the holy grail of thrift shop finds isn’t at all what it is in Aarhus. I try to swing by the two local thrift shops once a week. It’s not a wealthy area, so the donations aren’t stellar and I come up empty handed most of the time, but I lucked out the other day because everything in the store was 50% off and I found this vintage pocketbook for 22.50 kr. (less than $4!!!!).
I’ve found a lot of great secondhand things over the years, but I consider this to be one of my best thrift store finds ever in Denmark! I’ve been looking for a vintage granny chic pocketbook like this for aeons and have found quite a few, but the insides are usually gross, or the leather is cracked, or they just look tired. Not this one! It’s in pristine condition and even came with a little mirror. I have a feeling its previous owner “saved it for good” as my grandmother used to say.
I’ve been thrift shopping on and off since the early ’90s. I wish I had photos of some of my treasures from that era. I scored most of my best thrift store finds ever back then because stuff from the 1960s and ’70s was just hitting the shops and I’d often find things like a vintage 1960s faux leopard fur swing coat, Gunne Sax dresses, and psychedelic mini-dresses that I thought looked so cool with my fishnets and 8-eye Doc Martens. I wish I’d held onto some of those things because my style has evolved over the years, but the 60s have always been my style muse.
I love that it’s classic without being pretentious, and pretty without being precious. It’ll go perfectly with summer dresses, my poncho, and my (growing collection of) Swedish Hasbeens. My new pair of black Fredricas came today and I love them almost as much as my red ones!
The Offbeat Adventures says
I love a good 60s faux leaopard swing coat! I got one while I was back in the US thrift shopping in Providence, RI. I love weating it in Zurich because nobody here has the imagination to dress vintage and I really stand out.
IMHO America is the best place to thrift shop so I do most of my second handing while I’m home visiting my folks. Providence is great because there are loads of antique markets and very few hipsters so things aren’t picked over and they are CHEAP. Last wintet I got a handmade with the seamstress’ tag still on it wool 60s Swing coat with a real mink collar for 15 bucks!!!
Sage says
OMG, I’m so jealous! Next time I visit my sister I’m going to make a strong case for heading to Providence. I totally agree about the States being the best place to thrift shop, I’ve never found another place like it.
Janice keating says
I bought a black/gray tweedy looking swing coat with a Montgomery Ward label in it last year. Cost about $4.99 and I love it. It was perfect for when this crazy Texas weather is too cold for no coat and too warm for my winter coat.
My winter coat is this weird embroidered coat I bought off Zulilly 2 years ago and won’t part with.
I’m happy you found the perfect granny purse.
Linda Marie says
?❤